Foldable Hinge Lock Structure to Protect Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deformable displays in electronic devices are structurally weak and prone to damage during unintended use or misuse.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device with a hinge locking structure that includes magnets and a pin mechanism to prevent unintended folding, ensuring the display remains in the intended configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge lock structure is not provided, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the display device may be damaged when folded due to impact between the display apparatus and home key
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge lock structure is integrated within the existing hinge assembly, with the lock component nested between the first and second hinge bodies. This allows the protective function to be added without significantly increasing external dimensions or overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge lock acts as an intermediary protective element positioned between the display apparatus and home key. When the display device is folded, the hinge lock absorbs or redirects the impact force, preventing direct contact and potential damage between the display apparatus and home key.
2Volume of moving object
If the hinge lock structure is integrated into the hinge assembly, then the components can be compactly arranged, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into distinct functional modules: the first hinge body, second hinge body, and hinge lock component. Each segment can be manufactured separately with standardized tolerances, then assembled together, which reduces the cumulative precision requirements compared to a fully integrated monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge lock structure is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the folding state of the display device. The mechanical interaction between the hinge lock and hinge bodies creates self-aligning features that reduce the need for high-precision manual assembly, as the components guide themselves into the correct positions during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary electronic device includes: a first housing including a first surface; a second housing including a second surface; a third housing including a third surface; a first hinge structure for rotatably connecting the second housing with reference to the first housing; a second hinge structure for rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing; a flexible display disposed on the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing; a first magnet in the second housing; and a hinge lock structure facing the first magnet in an abnormal state in which a part of the first surface is adjacent to the second surface, and including a pin insertable into a groove formed on at least one shaft in the second hinge structure.